Skip Bayless’ hot takes on LeBron James and the Cowboys might have to be frozen.
A week after Jamie Horowitz, the president of Fox Sports National Networks, was fired amid sexual harassment claims, Fox Sports 1 reportedly is trying to change the subjects that its studio debate shows fight about, with less focus on the NBA and NFL and more on the sports the network actually broadcasts.
The Sporting News, citing sources, reported that the recent firing of Horowitz has started a strategic shift in how FS1 carries its on-air debates, with the network now poised to focus more on promoting its own content — specifically MLB, NASCAR, UFC and soccer. (Messi: most overrated player of all time?)
“There’s a disconnect. These debate shows are still going on and on about the NBA — which ended a month ago — and there’s not enough about MLB, which is in the middle of a season,” one source told the Sporting News. “Jamie would protect those guys if they still wanted to talk NBA. But Jamie is gone.”
For Bayless and his show, “Undisputed,” this is a direct shot at why the talking head jumped ship from ESPN to FS1 in the first place. In an interview with The Wrap published last August, Bayless contended he left ESPN because at the time, he felt discouraged from going after athletes and nearly lost his show after bouts with Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman.
“Now I’m with people who believe in me, who support me, and if Richard Sherman attacked me, I would be much more comfortable attacking back,” Bayless said at the time. “And furthermore, my superiors would love it, because it would be authentically — genuinely — great television. That’s the difference between the Disney-owned network and the Fox network.”
Those often-criticized hot takes have grown the polarizing Bayless into a star at both networks. But with Horowitz out the door, Bayless lost his biggest cheerleader at Fox Sports 1. And with him he may have lost his fastball. According to The Sporting News, some rights holders have been upset that Fox didn’t promote their programs in the FS1 studios — shout about UFC, maybe viewers will watch UFC. And so Bayless’ targets may have to change.
It appears Bayless and FS1 already have started the shift. According to the report, Bayless started harping on James at the MLB All-Star Game — but this time, he shoehorned Yankees star Aaron Judge into the discussion, saying Judge has the “clutch” gene (whatever that means) to compete in the Home Run Derby. Unlike James, who annually skips the NBA Slam Dunk Contest.
Bayless vs. Martin Truex Jr., coming up after the break.
